Face shield

ABSTRACT

Protective face shield and mounting means therefor which enable quick and easy structural association and disassociation relative to protective headgear, such as a helmet shell, while providing positive restraint against rotation or pivoting movement of the face shield inwardly toward the face of a wearer.

United States Patent Rodney S. Hill Dover, Del.

Aug. 26, 1968 May 4, 197 1 ILC Industries, Inc., Dover, Del.

lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee FACE SHIELD 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 2/10 Int. Cl

FieldofSearch 2/3,5,6,8, 9, 10; DES.2/232; 24/224 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1907 Martinez Des. 207,900 6/1967 Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Att0rneys-l-l. Gordon Dyke and Michael A. Sileo, .lr.

Bowers Blodjer Schoener... Zahn Feldmann et al.

2/ 10 2/ 10 2/8X 2/9UX ABSTRACT: Protective face shield and mounting means therefor which enable quick and easy structural association and disassociation relative to protective headgear, such as a helmet shell, while providing positive restraint against rotation or pivoting movement of the face shield inwardly toward the face of a wearer.

PATENTEU Y l 7 3,577,564

64 INVENTOR Ram 5y 5 H/LL ATTORNEY FACE SHIELD This invention relates generally to protective headgear and,.

more particularly, to protective face shield and means for mounting thereof with a helmet shell.

At the' outset, it is to be expressly understood that while the present invention is described, disclosed, illustrated and shown as applied to a protective face shield for utilization with a helmet shell, such description, disclosure, illustration and showing is to be construed and interpreted as being exemplary only and that the present invention is equally applicable to substantially any shield and support combination including, without limitation, sun shields, wind shields, welders shields, mechanics shields, machinists shields, adapted to be utilized with protective helmets, hats, caps, suspension harnesses, and the like.

The present invention provides novel and improved face shields and means for mounting face shields with adjacent structures, such as protective helmet shells.

The present invention further provides novel and improved protective face shields and mounting means which may be readily, quickly and easily operated to provide association and disassociation of such face shields relative to such protective headgear.

Yet further, the present invention provides such novel and improved face shields and mounting means'therefor adapted to positively preclude relative rotation between such face shields and protective headgear.

Yet still further, the present invention provides such novel and improved protective face shields and mounting means therefor adapted to positively prevent pivoting of the face shield inwardly toward the face of the wearer. In addition to the foregoing, the present invention provides novel and improved protective face shields and mounting means therefor that comprise means on the upper-inner ear portion of the face shield that abut chin strap snaps on the protective headgear.

Yet further, in addition to each of the foregoing, the present invention provides novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor comprising snap securement means appropriately located for removably securing such face shields to fastener stud means structurally associated with protective headgear, such as a helmet shell, in an appropriate location.

Yet still further, in addition to each of the foregoing, the present invention provides novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor wherein such snap securement means and stud means are located for positioning generally adjacent the temples of a wearer.

Still further, in addition to each of the foregoing, the present invention provides novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor comprising generally keyholeshaped apertures provided extending through portions of such face shields adapted to overlie a wearers temple for engagement with stud members structurally associated with protective headgear, such as a helmet shell, and spring biased means for selectively retaining such stud members positioned within the narrow portion of such keyhole-shaped apertures.

Yet still further, the present invention provides, in addition to each of the foregoing, novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor comprising a plurality of generally upstanding tongue members structurally associated with such faceshields for engagement with protective headgear, such as a helmet shell.

It is yet another feature of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing, that novel and improved face shields and mounting means therefor may be constructed in accordance therewith which are both economical and durable.

The present invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in improved face shields and mounting means therefor constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will be better understood and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a certain preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention which is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodirnents or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric illustration of a helmet shell and protective face shield constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and adapted to be secured therewith;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational cross-sectional partial view of the face shield and helmet shell of the preceding FIG. in assembled relationship;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational partial view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational partial view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional partial view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional partial view similar to FIG. 5 showing other embodiments or modifications of face shields constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated protective headgear, such as a helmet shell designated generally by the reference character 10 adapted to have novel and improved face shield constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 12 associated therewith.

As heretofore pointed out, the present invention is equally applicable for use with substantially any headgear or support harness and, accordingly, the helmet 10 is illustrated as being exemplary only and may comprise substantially any desired helmet structure and configuration. Therefore, the helmet 10 will not be described further except to point out that it may comprise a generally hemispherical shell portion 14 and a visor or peak portion 16 integrally formed therewith and extending generally outwardly, and downwardly thereof molded, for example, of a plastic or reinforced plastic material; an edging 18 extending peripherally thereabout and fabricated, for example, by extruding a rubber or elastomeric material to a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; and snap members 20 extending generally inwardly of the hemispherical portion 14 on each side thereof at locations adapted to overlie the wearers temples to enable securement therewith of a chin strap 22 provided with cooperating snap means 24, in

a well-known manner. The chin strap 22, as clearly shown in the drawing, may aid and assist in retaining the face shield 12 in proper position although the chin strap 22 is not necessary in so retaining the face shield, (as is also clearly shown) the face shield 12 being generally rigid.

The face shield 12 may comprise a shield portion 26 which may, in accordance with the desired usage thereof be optically clear and transparent, be polarized, be colored, or may comprise various filtering materials and pigments. The shield portion 26 and, in fact, the entire face shield 12 may, for example, be integrally fabricated, as by molding, of a clear and transparent plastic material such as Lexan. The face shield portion 26 may further be of substantially any desired contour and configuration, including, without limitation, planar or flat, be curved in a plurality of directions or, as shown, may be curved in only a single direction, that is, to define a generally cylindrical surface, or the locus of a line moving always parallel.

As heretofore pointed out, the faceplate 12 may be integrally molded of a clear plastic material to accordingly define the viewing or faceplate portion 26 and the perimeter of the faceplate 12 comprising, for example, an upper edge 28,

a lower edge 30, a left rear edge 32, a right rear edge 34 and a plurality of generally upstanding tongue members such as a left rear tongue member 36, a right rear tongue member 38, a left forward tongue member 40 anda right'forward tongue member 42. It may be readily seen that the left rear and forward tongue members 36 and 40, respectively,'form a left pair of tongue members; the right rear and forward tongue members 38 and 42, respectively, define a right pair of tongue members; the left and right rear tongue members 36 and 38, respectively, define a rear pair of tongue members and the for ward left and right tongue members 40 and 42, respectively, define a forward pair of tongue members. As the left and right rear tongue members 36 and 38, respectively, and the left and right forward tongue members 48 and 42, respectively, are substantially mirror images of one another, only the right pair of tongue members, comprising right rear tongue member 38 and the right forward tongue member 42 will be hereinafter described in detail,' it being expressly understood that the left pair of tongue members are substantially similar thereto and mirror images thereof.

The right rear tongue member 38 may comprise, generally, a continuation of the faceplate 12 and may be defined by the rear edge 34, an upper edge 44 and a notch 46 extending generally downwardly of the upper edge 44 to define a forward edge 48 of the tongue member 38.

The right forward tongue member 42 may comprise, generally, a continuation of the faceplate l2 and be disposed generally forwardly of the rear tongue member 38 and separated therefrom bythe notch 46. The right forward tongue member 42 may extend substantially further from the upper edge 28 of the faceplate 12 to an upper edge 50 spaced generally above the rear tongue member edge 44. The forward tongue member 42 may be further defined by a rearward edge 52 extending into the notch 46 and a forward edge 54. The forward edge 48 of the rearward tongue member 38 and the rearward and forward edges 52 and 54 of the forward tongue member 42 may, as shown, each be substantially parallel.

The upper portion 56 of the tongue member 42 may be provided with a generally keyhole-shaped aperture, designated generally by the reference character 58 and extending therethrough defined by an enlarged generally circular portion 60 and a narrower generally elongated slot portion 62.

Cooperating means adapted to engage the forward pair of upstanding members may be provided structurally associated with the helmet shell 14 generally overlying the temples and forwardly of the chin strap snaps 20. For example, the cooperating means may comprise stud members 64 comprising, for example, a reduced diameter portion adapted to fit within the elongated slot portion 62, an enlarged head portion adapted to pass through the enlarged generally circular portion 68 and to preclude passage transversely of the elongated slot portion 62 and a rivet portion'70 adapted to secure the stud member 64 with the helmet shell 14. An intermediate enlarged generally circular portion 72 may also be provided adapted to engage the tongue members 40 and 42.

Preferably, the keyhole-shaped slot 58 is located in such a position on the face shield 26 and the stud members 64 similarly so positioned relative to the helmet shell 14 that, when the stud members 64 are disposed fully rearwardly within the keyhole-shaped slot 58, that is, fully within the elongated slot portion 62, the upper edges of the rearward pair of tongue members 36 and 38 will engage the chin strap snaps 28 and with the upper edge of the faceplate 112 being in engagement with the undersurface of the visor or peak 16 to accordingly preclude rotation of the face shield 12 relative to the helmet shell 14. Moreover, the rear tongue members 36 and 38 will be further maintained in engagement with the chin strap snaps 24 by the presence of the chin straps '22 although, as heretofore pointed out, the chin strap 22 is not necessary to retain the rearward tongue members 36 and 38 so engaged, the rigidity of the face shield 12 being sufficient for this purpose.

. The face shield 12 may further comprise retaining means, such as a spring biased member 74 structurally associated with each of the forward generally upstanding tongue members 46 and 42, respectively, on the interior thereof, for retaining the slots 58 and studs 64 properly positioned relative to each other while 'yet enabling ready and easy disassembly thereof, when desired.

For example, the member 74 may be fabricated to generally define a leaf spring having a generally planar portion 76 adapted to closely overlie the upstanding tongue members 40 and 42, an outwardly extending portion 78 at one end thereof and means, such as rivets 80 at the other end thereof for securing the spring member 74 with the appropriate one of the tongue members 46 and 42. The spring member 74 may be provvided with a generally circular aperture 82 of substantially similar diameter as the head 68 of the stud 64 and disposed generally concentrically with the rearward edge of the elongated slot portion 62. Accordingly, upon insertion of the stud 64 through the generally circular portion 60 of the key-shaped slot 58, and forward movement of the face shield 12, the head 68 of the stud member 64 will engage the underneath surface of the outwardly extending portion 78 of the spring member 74 to cam the spring member 74 generally outwardly away from the tongue member, until the head 68 of the stud member 64 is aligned with the aperture 82 of the spring member 74, at which time the spring member 74 will be free to snap back into generally parallel and closely underlying relationship with the tongue member to latch the stud member 64 in the rearward end portion of the slot portion 62. it is believed readily obvious, that when it is desired to remove the face shield 12 from the helmet shell 14, it is merely necessary to manually move the inwardly extending portion 78 of the spring members 74 generally inwardly, away from the stud members 64 to release the stud members, enabling movement of the face shield 12 generally rearwardly until the enlarged generally circular portions 60 of the key-shaped slot 58 are aligned with the enlarged head portions 68 of the studs 64, for removal. I

The spring members 74 may be fabricated substantially of any desired material, such as metal, as shown, or plastic, or the like. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, a spring member 74 may be integally molded with the upstanding tongue member 42 of the face shield 12, rather than being separately fabricated and secured thereto, as by the rivets 80.

It is to be understood that terminology such as inwardly," outwardly," inner, outer," internal, extemal," forwardly," rearwardly," as used in the preceding description and subjoined claims, along with other similar directional terminology, is to be construed and interpreted in its normal and accepted sense. However, such terminology is not to be construed and interpreted in a limiting sense either in the preceding description or the subjoined claims, since the same is used merely to facilitate an understanding of, and to clearly set forth and particularly define the present invention.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of a preferred embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield having side portions that extend over each side of the face of the wearer and a substantially rigid tongue member extending generally upwardly from each side portion of the upper portion of said face shield, said tongue members adapted to extend in overlapped relationship with the inner margin of said headgear; an elongated slot positioned in each of said tongue members adapted to slidably engage a stud means positioned in 'the inside margin of said headgear to fixedly attach the face shield to said headgear with a portion of the top edges of said face shield positioned against the edge of said headgear; and a stud means receiving and locking means operatively connected to the inside surface of each of said tongue members and positioned over said elongated slot and adapted to engage one of said stud means when said stud means is inserted in said slot and to releasably lock said face shield to said headgear when said face shield is in its fixedly attached position.

2. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield having side portions that extend over each side of the face of the wearer and a substantially rigid tongue member extending generally upwardly from each side portion of the upper portion of said face shield, said tongue members constructed and arranged to extend in overlapped relationship with the inner margin of said headgear, and to position the shield in a fixed relationship with said headgear, each of said tongue members being provided with an elongated slot adapted to slidably engage a stud means positioned on the inside margin of said headgear to fixedly attach the face shield to said headgear with a portion of the top edge of said face shield positioned against the edge of said headgear; a biased leaf spring locking means operatively connected to the inside surface of each of said tongue members and positioned over said elongated slot having an opening therein that releasably engages one of said stud means when said face shield is in its fixedly attached position to releasably lock the face shield to said headgear; and a second pair of substantially rigid tongue members one of each positioned rearwardly of one of said slotted tongue members and having an upper edge portion thereon adapted to abut the headgear to preclude rotation relative thereto.

3. The face shield of claim 2 in which said biased leaf spring locking means has means for lifting said spring out of engage ment with said stud means for unlocking the face shield to permit removal of said face shield from said headgear.

4. The face shield of claim 2 adapted to fit on headgear having a generally forwardly extending peak and internally mounted chin strap snaps positioned on each side thereof disposed internally of the headgear wherein the front upper edge portion of said face shield medial of said first mentioned tongue members is adapted to abut the underside of such peak and said second mentioned tongue members are adapted to abut the chin strap attaching snaps.

5. The face shield defined in claim 2 wherein said slot is of generally keyhole-shaped configuration having an enlarged portion and an elongated portion extending therefrom adapted to receive stud means having a generally enlarged head through said enlarged portion of said slot and to be retained within said elongated portion thereof when said face shield is in fixed position on said headgear.

6. A protective headgear device having a removable face shield adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from said headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a protective headgear; a pair of stud means, one positioned on each side of said headgear at the inner margin thereof; a face shield having a pair of spaced tongue members one on each side of said face shield and extending generally upwardly from the top portion thereof, said tongue members extending in overlapped relationship with said inner margin of said headgear; and elongated slot in each of said tongue members in slidable engagement with one of said stud means to fixedly position said face shield on said headgear with the top edge of the face shield engaging the front edge of said headgear between said tongue members; and a biased leaf spring locking means operatively connected to the inside surface of each of said tongue members and positioned over said elongated slot engaging one of said stud means, each of said locking means defining an opening therein that is in releasable engagement with one of said stud means. 

1. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield having side portions that extend over each side of the face of the wearer and a substantially rigid tongue member extending generally upwardly from each side portion of the upper portion of said face shield, said tongue members adapted to extend in overlapped relationship with the inner margin of said headgear; an elongated slot positioned in each of said tongue members adapted to slidably engage a stud means positioned in the inside margin of said headgear to fixedly attach the face shield to said headgear with a portion of the top edges of said face shield positioned against the edge of said headgear; and a stud means receiving and locking means operatively connected to the inside surface of each of said tongue members and positioned over said elongated slot and adapted to engage one of said stud means when said stud means is inserted in said slot and to releasably lock said face shield to said headgear when said face shield is in its fixedly attached position.
 2. A face shield device adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from a protective headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a face shield having side portions that extend over each side of the face of the wearer and a substantially rigid tongue member extending generally upwardly from each side portion of the upper portion of said face shield, said tongue members constructed and arranged to extend in overlapped relationship with the inner margin of said headgear, and to position the shield in a fixed relationship with said headgear, each of said tongue members being provided with an elongated slot adapted to slidably engage a stud means positioned on the inside margin of said headgear to fixedly attach the face shield to said headgear with a portion of the top edge of said face shield positioned against the edge of said headgear; a biased leaf spring locking means operatively connected to the inside surface of each of said tongue members and positioned over said elongated slot having an opening therein that releasably engages one of said stud means when said face shield is in its fixedly attached position to releasably lock the face shield to said headgear; and a second pair of substantially rigid tongue members one of each positioned rearwardly of one of said slotted tongue members and having an upper edge portion thereon adapted to abut the headgear to preclude rotation relative thereto.
 3. The face shield of claim 2 in which said biased leaf spring locking means has means for lifting said spring out of engagement with said stud means for unlocking the face shield to permit removal of said face shield from said headgear.
 4. The face shield of claim 2 adapted to fit on headgear having a generaLly forwardly extending peak and internally mounted chin strap snaps positioned on each side thereof disposed internally of the headgear wherein the front upper edge portion of said face shield medial of said first mentioned tongue members is adapted to abut the underside of such peak and said second mentioned tongue members are adapted to abut the chin strap attaching snaps.
 5. The face shield defined in claim 2 wherein said slot is of generally keyhole-shaped configuration having an enlarged portion and an elongated portion extending therefrom adapted to receive stud means having a generally enlarged head through said enlarged portion of said slot and to be retained within said elongated portion thereof when said face shield is in fixed position on said headgear.
 6. A protective headgear device having a removable face shield adapted to be readily and easily secured to and removed from said headgear while being securely positioned relative thereto and precluded from relative rotational movement comprising: a protective headgear; a pair of stud means, one positioned on each side of said headgear at the inner margin thereof; a face shield having a pair of spaced tongue members one on each side of said face shield and extending generally upwardly from the top portion thereof, said tongue members extending in overlapped relationship with said inner margin of said headgear; and elongated slot in each of said tongue members in slidable engagement with one of said stud means to fixedly position said face shield on said headgear with the top edge of the face shield engaging the front edge of said headgear between said tongue members; and a biased leaf spring locking means operatively connected to the inside surface of each of said tongue members and positioned over said elongated slot engaging one of said stud means, each of said locking means defining an opening therein that is in releasable engagement with one of said stud means. 